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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is an okay work outfit for a social worker

171 replies

couldnothinkofone · 31/07/2017 23:30

m.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/dark-grey-drawstring-waist-shirt-dress_504395403

^ that's it

I hate trousers with a passion (find them so uncomfortable and I feel masculine wearing them!

So dresses and skirts only for me.

To work I always wear a dress like in the link with black tights and heeled black boots. Simple but in my opinion smart casual.

I work with adults.

My flat mate has said she thinks it's fine for day to day at work but it's my first day tomorrow and I need to make a good impression so I should go in a smarter outfit. She suggested putting up
With black trousers and a nice blouse just for tomorrow.

AIBU to think that dress, black tights, and black heeled ankle boots are fine for my first day on the job?

I'm a size 12 and tall so things tend to look neat and tidy on me.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 31/07/2017 23:32

It looks a bit short.

Luckyaide · 31/07/2017 23:34

I think it is fine for a day in the office, but possibly a little dressy if you were to be out on visits, depending on your client group.

Liadain · 31/07/2017 23:35

I think it's lovely, work appropriate - but erring on the casual side of smart casual. If in doubt, go with the more formal look.

Alpacaandgo · 31/07/2017 23:35

It does look very short for work. If I'm totally honest if I saw a colleague turn up in that I'd think they forgot their trousers! Maybe on your first day go with your friends safe option until you've sussed out what might be acceptable at that particular work place.

It's a nice dress though.

Redcliff · 31/07/2017 23:35

Its lovely but too short for a first day - don't you have a longer skirt ?

FlowerFairyLights · 31/07/2017 23:37

it looks really short to just wear with tights....

Elvisrocks · 31/07/2017 23:37

Sorry I agree with PP - it's too short!

PurpleDaisies · 31/07/2017 23:38

Another vote for too short without trousers.

OP posts:
flumplet · 31/07/2017 23:39

Nice but too short for work. I don't think it's really appropriate.

flumplet · 31/07/2017 23:40

The second dress also nice but still a bit too short for what I would consider work appropriate. It's your call though, whatever you feel comfortable in.

PurpleDaisies · 31/07/2017 23:42

I think the second dress still looks short and a bit casual.

Err on the side of smart and safe for your first day.

Good luck. Smile

newdaylight · 31/07/2017 23:43

Absolutely fine, that second dress, imo

FraggleRock77 · 31/07/2017 23:43

Agree, too short for work. I'm a SW and if someone i managed or a student turned up dressed in something so short, i would honestly have to address it privately with them. Depending on what client group you work with, you could be putting yourself at serious risk and equally it could effect your ability to engage. I work with people who have severe MH issues and i try to look as low key, relaxed, smart/casual and covered but comfortable as possible. Good luck though.x

LewisFan · 31/07/2017 23:44

My colleagues wear similar with leggings (we're all children's sw).

Especially as we can find ourselves scrambling around on the floor with the children Grin

couldnothinkofone · 31/07/2017 23:44

I'm not concerned about the length as it's knee length in person (the model must be about 5ft11).

It's just the design. It's obviously a shirt dress. It's whether it's smart enough. Day to day it would be. There's a spectrum of outfits people wear I. The office (some come in black trousers and blouse every day while others wear leggings and a jumper dress/flats). It's just because it's my first day.

OP posts:
inlectorecumbit · 31/07/2017 23:44

naw it's a bit short.. twin set and pearls is the only way to go for a social worker Grin
Don't worry DS is a social worker, it is a very unappreciated and misunderstood profession

SealSong · 31/07/2017 23:45

I'm a social worker and around my office there is a wide range of dress evident from very casual to verging on smart. For most front line social workers smart dress - unless you're in court or very formal meetings - is not needed, and in fact being very smartly dressed can be off putting for a lot of clients, people can find it intimidating. For that reason, and for reasons of practicality, most social workers dress on the more casual side of smart casual.
I always wear smart black or grey jeans and an arrotment of casual but smartish plain Jersey tops etc.
A shirt dress would be fine, but not a short dress. Showing too much bare leg or cleavage is not appropriate - we need to work with a variety of people from all faiths and cultures and our dress should always be appropriate and not make anyone feel uncomfortable.
Hope that helps, and good luck in your new job.

hatgirl · 31/07/2017 23:45

I'm a social worker with adults.

I would happily wear both dresses you have linked to with a pair of black leggings or black tights or yellow. They wouldn't be short on me as I am short

Fine for your first day too.

muchomo · 31/07/2017 23:45

I think that's too short to be appropriate for work. You need to consider your client group, safety, first impressions. With leggings or something would look ok

StAlphonzospancakebreakfast · 31/07/2017 23:46

Every social worker I work with wears some variation on a knee length Boden/sea salt/joules wrap dress with boots, is that not the uniform? Wink

couldnothinkofone · 31/07/2017 23:47

I don't work with children so no change of my being say on a floor 😂

It would be different if I was.

I will see what else I have. I've yet to meet a work colleague wear a dress below the knee though so clearly it's considered acceptable to wear a dress at the knee or just above.

A tight mini skirt...now that's different!

OP posts:
elephantoverthehill · 31/07/2017 23:47

I'm a bit confused. Op you state that you are a size 12 but have bought a dress This is the correct one. It's not short. It is just above kneee length even on me at 5ft7 That the sizes start at a 16. Confused

Cinderllaspinkdresswasthebest · 31/07/2017 23:48

Both dresses for a professional are fine IMO - definitely too short without black trousers or leggings though. I'm NHS and we aren't allowed to wear leggings - and if I wore either of those dresses/shirts it would be inappropriate without trousers.

couldnothinkofone · 31/07/2017 23:49

I'm only 24 by the way. If that changes anything.

OP posts: